Getting Rid of Nasty Odors after Water Damage

Your house has been flooded. You take out your cleaning gear, prepare your kids and start cleaning the house diligently. After hours of hard work, the water is finally out your doors. Genuinely relieved, you sit on your sofa to watch your favorite nighttime show and that is when it strikes you. A strange, musty odor whips past through your nose signifying that your job is not done yet.

It’s probable time to get your clean gear out again. Here’s what you do next:

Find the Source

Assuming that you have regrouped your forces within, the first thing to do would be to identify the source of the smell. The smell means that there is mold and mildew in your house and you can find the source by looking for a damp and dark place as they usually reside there. From areas of your basement to pipes, make sure you look everywhere. You may have to crawl or jump through places you do not normally visit.

Remove Everything Wet and Damaged

Whether it is fiberboard or sheetrock, it would not make any sense for you to keep them if they are damaged. Getting rid of them would be a good idea.

For a carpet that has acquired mold and mildew, it would be a good idea to remove it from the flooring and keep it in a clean and dry room. Both the floor structure and carpet need to be cleaned separately.    

Clean

For upholstery cleaning, white vinegar is an incredible option. Spray it on the affected area and scrub it. As soon as the air dries, it is very likely that the musty odor is gone.

For carpets, using a mixture of water and baking soda will most likely do the trick. Sprinkle the mixture and scrub the area with a clean brush. Also, vacuum your carpet the next day to be on safe side.

Make sure that you wear gloves and protective mask while doing all the cleaning.

 Ventilate

After you have cleaned the affected areas, it’s time to get them dry with airflow. Turn on the fans and open windows to let smell pass through. Not only will fresh air make drying process quicker, it will make sure that the musty smell is permanently warded off.

This is the time you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

However sometimes, the odor problem may still persist. If this is the case, you may be required to hire professionals. From odor removal to flood water damage repair orange county CA, the professionals at Water Damage Orange County have the necessary skills to handle all kinds of water damage restoration projects in Orange County, California. They also provide a range of efficient drying equipment for commercial and residential property owners.  

A Complete Guide to Cleaning Up After a Flood

Bringing in many harmful contaminants, flood water can wreak havoc to the very structure of your house. In heavy downpours or cruel tidal waves, your house—when stricken with flood—needs to be cleaned immediately.

So, roll up your sleeves and get ready for the daunting task ahead. Here’s a guide on how to clean separate sections of your house after a flood:

Basement

Your basement will be one of the most severely hit areas of the house. Open up windows in your basement to allow air in. If your basement does not have windows, a fan may prove quite helpful in drying.

First off, use a sump pump to remove standing water. Your next step would be to scoop mud away. For this, use a high pressure hose.

Everything must be washed away with clean water. For difficult stains, chlorine bleach can be used. After you are done drying, repeat the process to get good results.

Carpets

Not only is a soaked carpet useless, it can also prove to be quite harmful for the health of residents. To clean carpets and rugs, bring them outdoors in a dry space. With a carpet cleaning agent, clean soiled spots. A bleach solution can also be used if the carpet does not belong to wool or nylon fabric category. Using a vacuum or a dehumidifier, dry the carpet.

Furniture

When water has seeped inside your house, it is very unlikely that your furniture remains unharmed.

Wearing gloves, hold on to your furniture items and place them outside in open air to dry. Make sure you immediately discard items that cannot be salvaged.

For items that can be salvaged, clean the mud and debris on the surface. Use a hose to do that. Using an antibacterial soapy solution with water, make sure you thoroughly clean your furniture items.

Walls and Ceilings

A flood will affect walls and ceilings of your house, and the damage can be greater if you have paneling and plaster. For parts of your walls and ceilings that are dry, wipe them with a mixture of bleach and water.

If you think that the flood water has not been contaminated with rain water, letting the sills and studs to dry may be a good idea and may save plasters and panels. Also, your wall’s insulation may need to be replaced or repaired.

Seek Professional Help

The task, if not performed right, could mean structural damage to your property. This is why you need professional services. Water Damage Orange County is a reliable and efficient water removal service in Orange County CA.

 Their emergency water restoration services have helped many commercial and residential property owners in their plights. Their services also include drying equipment for water damage restoration.